Cowdenbeath's Jamie Docherty scores twice in draw with Celtic B

COWDENBEATH were unfortunate not to collect full points after playing out an entertaining Lowland League draw with Celtic B on Saturday.

Two fine efforts from Kyle Ure at Central Park gave the young Hoops a draw, but the Blue Brazil could, and perhaps should, have had more goals than the brace netted by top scorer, Jamie Docherty.

In a fine spectacle for those in attendance, both sides committed to attack, and goalkeepers Ruaridh Lynch and Aidan Rice were both in fine form to thwart chances created by some good lead-up play.

For Cowden, there were a lot of good moves coming from a midfield which saw veteran Danny Swanson calling the shots, well backed-up by Olly Whyte and Matty McDonald, and Docherty, Robbie McNab and Rhys Walker latched on to a number of openings and posed issue for Celtic.

In the second minute, the visitors threatened when winger Jude Bonnar sent over a low cross and, in trying to intercept, Gregor Jordan deflected the ball into Lynch’s hands.

However, moments later, the Blues took the lead when a neat move saw Docherty given space 20 yards out, before he sent a fine, dipping shot over Rice.

Jamie Docherty scored a brace for the Blue Brazil. (Image: David Wardle.)

Docherty soon afterwards had a penalty appeal waved away, when he appeared to be pushed in the back by Colby Donovan after making ground into the Celtic box, before Rice was on hand to thwart McNab from 15 yards after a good passage of play created the chance.

Midway through the opening period, however, Celtic equalised when slack play from the home rearguard allowed the ball to be played into Ure, 18 yards out, and his fierce drive gave Lynch no chance.

Ayr United manager Scott Brown, a former Hill of Beath Primary and Beath High pupil, and ex-Celtic midfielder, was an interested spectator at Saturday's game. (Image: David Wardle.)

The away side had another chance before the interval, with Lynch saving well from Bonnar, but they had a fortunate escape early in the second half when Lenny Agbaire scrambled clear, with McNab about to pounce from close range, when Rice punched an in-swinging Docherty corner downwards.

On the hour mark, though, Cowdenbeath regained the advantage when Docherty, from the edge of the box, sent an angled, 16-yard shot beyond Rice, with the aid of a deflection.

Cowdenbeath twice led in the match. (Image: David Wardle.)

Chances at both ends continued to be created, with Olly Whyte denied for the hosts by a good Mitchell Robertson tackle after bursting into the box, before Lynch produced a brilliant finger-tip save to thwart Ure.

However, the Cowden keeper had no chance 16 minutes from the end when Ure's 30-yard rocket flew high into the net to level the game once more.

With four minutes left, Greg MacPherson found himself deep inside the Celtic penalty area looking to win all three points, but a brave save at the full-back's feet by Rice ensured a share of the spoils.

Cowdenbeath: Lynch, G.MacPherson, Newman, Jordan, Denham, Whyte (Burke 61), Walker (Sutherland 73), McDonald, McNab, Swanson, Docherty.

Subs not used, Kerr, Haston, Hill, Blair (GK).

Celtic B: Rice, Donovan, Kyle (Cummings 56), Robertson, Agbaire, Ure, Dede (Dargie 51), Turley, Dobbie (Haddow 68), McArdle (Frame 56), Bonnar.

Subs not used, Bonetig, Cannon, Gill (GK).

Referee: Alex Shepherd.

Attendance: 221.